"Stone City."
As I was about to use the skill Dream Walk to return to the third floor of the Blackstone Tower, someone called out to me. I had always kept a low profile in the game and never revealed my name, so how could a player recognize me?
Turning around, I saw that it was Tian Huo Leng Hun, the third-ranked player on the Top Ten Masters List, who I had a chance encounter with before. We had teamed up in the novice village to kill the boss of the demonized hedgehog king, and exchanged name cards, so he recognized me.
"Stone City, it is really you. If it weren't for your bunny mask, I wouldn't have been able to recognize you."
As he greeted me, Tian Huo Leng Hun walked towards me.
After this period of time, players had acquired various masks, helmets, hairpins, and various other decorations. My bunny mask was no longer as eye-catching as it was in the novice village, so I didn't take it off when entering the city. However, Tian Huo Leng Hun still recognized me.
"Hehe, Tian Huo Leng Hun, Top Ten Master, impressive!"
The last time we interacted, I felt that Tian Huo Leng Hun was a decent person with the enthusiasm of a passionate male gamer.
"It's all because of the golden wand you helped me get that I leveled up so quickly. Stone, I haven't properly thanked you yet. Today, I finally ran into you, let's go have a drink."
"..."
Although I thought Tian Huo Leng Hun was a decent person, I didn't want to associate with these factions. It's better to be a free man, but I hadn't thought of a way to decline Tian Huo Leng Hun yet, and he pulled me along.
"Stone, come on, let me introduce you to some friends. Playing games is about finding like-minded friends to play with, that's what makes it fun."
After saying that, Tian Huo Leng Hun led me to a tavern. His eloquence was too good. If it weren't for my strong willpower, I would have been swept up in his enthusiasm. He was indeed the leader of a big faction with extraordinary abilities.
"Stone, what level are you now? Do you need any help? Just say so. I really appreciate what you did for me last time."
"Over twenty levels." I replied casually.
"Over there."
Entering the tavern, Tian Huo Leng Hun looked over and led me to two people.
"Big brother, let me introduce you. This is Stone City that I told you about."
"Stone, let me introduce you. This is my big brother, Tian Huo Dao Yin, a knight like you. You should be familiar with him. And this is my friend, Tian Huo Xue Bao, an archer. She's quite powerful."
"Nice to meet you, Stone." Tian Huo Dao Yin immediately stood up and shook my hand.
The adept on the leaderboard and reputation list are naturally familiar to us. Tian Huo Dao Yin is undoubtedly the leader of a great faction, and his conduct and character are impeccable. After exchanging greetings, Tian Huo Dao Yin immediately ordered food and drinks for the four of us, and we chatted while drinking.
"Stone, do you belong to a faction? My elder brother has established a mercenary group. As long as we obtain the "Gang Building Order," we can establish a faction. Are you interested in joining us and having some fun together?"
After chatting for a while, Tian Huo Leng Hun finally seized the opportunity to express his intention.
"Stone, we warmly welcome your inclusion. Our "Tian Huo" is currently in the establishment phase, and we need talented people like you. Join us, and let's create a world together."
Tian Huo Dao Yin immediately followed up and echoed Tian Huo Leng Hun. The two of them cooperated perfectly, and if it were not for my prior commitment, I would have had a difficult time declining.
"Thank you very much, but I came to play with my friends, and I have promised to join his faction. I apologize for any inconvenience."
Seeing Tian Huo Leng Hun, I had already prepared an excuse, and he showed a hint of helplessness but did not force me.
"It is a pity, Stone, but I admire you greatly. However, let us enjoy the game together. Come, let us drink, we are still friends, and if you need anything, just ask me."
"By the way, Stone, what faction do you belong to? I hope it is not an opposing one. I do not wish to be at odds with my friend."
"No, it's just a small faction of friends playing around, nothing serious."
We continued to chat for a while and then settled the bill and parted ways. I walked to a corner and used the skill "Dream Walk" to arrive at the third level of the Blackstone Tower.
At this time, Tian Huo Leng Hun and his gang arrived.
"Leng Hun, is that Stone City really that powerful? You were impressed, and you do not have the habit of actively recruiting players. With your attitude today, you can be in charge of the propaganda department and recruit players specifically."
Tian Huo Dao Yin said incredulously, and even his proud younger brother had times of recruiting players.
"Brother, Stone was indeed very strong at that time, probably comparable to your level 15 strength. But I do not know how strong he is now. However, his character is excellent, and if we can recruit him, it would be very beneficial to our "Tian Huo" faction."
Tian Huo Leng Hun actually had a feeling that this knight Stone City might be the first on the Top Ten Adept leaderboard, but that was only his guess.
"Xue Bao, keep an eye on Stone City's movements when there is a chance. But do not follow or investigate him, after all, he is my friend."
Tian Huo Leng Hun thought for a moment before speaking.
The third level of the Blackstone Tower was still dimly lit, and aside from the "creaking" of the skeleton warriors and the "rustling" of the bloodthirsty worms, it felt a bit desolate. The scenery here was truly depressing, and I decided to come here less often in the future.
As I watched the approaching skeletal warrior, I summoned my small pet phoenix and drew my skeletal blade. I began slaughtering the enemy with ease, even withstanding the challenge of facing two groups of eight skeletal warriors each.
"Congratulations, Stone City! Your pet phoenix has leveled up to level 1. Its health has increased by 50, its magic has increased by 50, its attack has increased by 30, and its defense has increased by 30."
"Congratulations, Stone City! Your pet phoenix has leveled up to level 2. Its health has increased by 50, its magic has increased by 50, its attack has increased by 30, and its defense has increased by 30."
"Congratulations, Stone City! Your pet phoenix has leveled up to level 3. Its health has increased by 50, its magic has increased by 50, its attack has increased by 30, and its defense has increased by 30."
"Congratulations, Stone City! Your pet phoenix has leveled up to level 4. Its health has increased by 50, its magic has increased by 50, its attack has increased by 30, and its defense has increased by 30."
"Congratulations, Stone City! Your pet phoenix has leveled up to level 5. Its health has increased by 50, its magic has increased by 50, its attack has increased by 30, and its defense has increased by 30."
"Congratulations, Stone City! Your pet has reached level 5 and has learned the skill 'Flame Arrow.'"
Flame Arrow: Single-target active skill, fire-based, increases attack by 30, attack range of 10 meters.
What a thrill!
The experience gained from the level 28 skeletal warriors provided my little phoenix with an abundance of experience points. It was as if we had taken a plane ride up to higher levels.
Before long, with a delightful chime, my pet's level increased to nine. I had also harvested the lives of the small monsters on the third floor of the Blackstone Tower and was making my way towards the entrance of the fourth floor.
As expected, a dark glow flickered three meters away from the entrance and the werewolf Kabarou appeared.
"Roar..."
Seeing me once again, the werewolf Kabarou let out a loud cry and charged towards me.
With two moves, the werewolf Kabarou's two ultimate moves "Storm of Gusts" and "Decapitation Strike" hit me. But now, they only took away less than 700 points of my health. Afterward, it became stiff and was an easy target for my attacks.
Alas, there was no difficulty at all. I didn't know if I was too strong, or if this werewolf Kabarou was just too foolish, as it didn't offer any challenge. This left me feeling frustrated and unable to unleash my full potential.
"Roar...Roar...Awooo..."
What the hell? Why are you howling?
Despite having less than a tenth of its health remaining, the werewolf Kabarou lifted its head and howled like it had taken an ecstasy pill.
This was unexpected. Was this werewolf Kabarou deriving pleasure from being beaten up? It was howling like it was having fun. How did I never notice this before?
Damn it, it's still singing even after being beaten so badly. If it wants to sing, let it sing. But why does it have to be so terrible? I unconsciously increased the speed and strength of my attacks.
Suddenly, a black and gold light emerged from under the werewolf Kabarou's body and began to coil around it.
My goodness! So it turns out that the wandering warrior Kabarou is about to evolve into a Golden Boss. No wonder he's so excited. However, he's emitting a blackish-golden radiance, which is quite peculiar and splendid in its own way. I've never seen anything like it before in my life.